Feathered projectile toy

ABSTRACT

A feathered projectile toy including a base having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal end and the distal end, a plurality of stacked elements disposed on the base with the longitudinal axis of the base extending through openings in each of the plurality of stacked elements, and a plurality of feathers extending from the distal end of the base.

FIELD

The present invention relates to projectile toys, and in particular, to feathered projectile toys.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A feathered projectile toy according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises: a base having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal end and the distal end; a plurality of stacked elements disposed on the base with the longitudinal axis of the base extending through openings in each of the plurality of stacked elements; and a plurality of feathers extending from the distal end of the base.

In an exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of stacked elements are discs.

In an exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of stacked elements are curved discs.

In an exemplary embodiment, the diameter of each of the plurality of stacked elements is between 30 mm and 40 mm.

In an exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of stacked elements has a thickness between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm.

In an exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of stacked elements has a height between 5 mm and 7 mm.

In an exemplary embodiment, the opening in each of the plurality of stacked elements has a diameter between 12 mm and 13 mm.

In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of stacked elements are made of plastic.

In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of stacked elements are made of polyvinyl chloride.

In an exemplary embodiment, the base is made of rubber.

In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of feathers are sewn together along their length.

In an exemplary embodiment, thread used to sew the plurality of feathers together is made of nylon.

In an exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of feathers has a height between 120 mm and 140 mm.

In an exemplary embodiment, the base has a height along its longitudinal axis, and the height is between 40 mm and 60 mm.

In an exemplary embodiment, the base is tube-shaped.

Other features and advantages of embodiments of the invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more fully understood with reference to the following, detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a feathered projectile toy according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a base of a feathered projectile toy according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a stacked element of a feathered projectile toy according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate flexing of stacked elements of a feathered projectile toy in flight according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a feathered projectile toy, generally designated by reference number 1, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The feathered projectile toy 1 includes a base 10 having a proximal end portion 14 and a distal end portion 16. A longitudinal axis 12 of the base 10 extended between the proximal end portion 14 and the distal end portion 16. The base 10 is shown having a generally tubular shape, but it should be appreciated that the base 10 may have any other suitable shape. A plurality of elements 20 are disposed on the base 10, and in particular the elements 20 are arranged in a stack-like manner along the longitudinal axis 12 of the base 10. The elements 20 are mounted on the base 10 so as to allow the elements 20 to freely rotate and move up and down relative to the base 10. A plurality of feathers 30 are held by and extend from the distal end portion 16 of the base 10. As explained in more detail below, when a user contacts the proximal end portion 14 of the base 10 with his foot or hand to propel the feathered projectile toy 1, forces exerted along the longitudinal axis 12 of the base 10 cause the base 10 to contract, which in turn causes the elements 20 to rotate and move in contact with one another along the base 10. In flight, the base 10 expands back to its original un-deformed state and the elements 20 spring back away from one another, thereby enhancing the flight distance of the feathered projectile toy 1.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the base 10 of the feathered projectile toy 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The base 10 includes a proximal flange 15 disposed at the proximal end portion 14 and a distal flange 17 disposed at the distal end portion 16. The height of the base 10 may be, for example, within a range of 40 mm and 60 mm, and in an exemplary embodiment may be 50 mm. The proximal flange 15 may have a diameter of, for example, 35 mm, and the distal flange 17 may have a diameter of, for example, 15 mm, although other diameters are possible. The base 10 also includes an opening 18 through which the quills of the feathers 30 are inserted and held in place by, for example, adhesive. The base 10 is preferably made of a flexible material, such as, for example, rubber.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an element 20 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The element 20 may be in the shape of a curved disc with a central opening 22. The central opening 22 allows the disc 20 to be mounted on the base 10. The disc 20 may be made of a flexible material such as, for example, plastic, so that the disc 20 is able to generate a spring-force upon initial impact of a user's foot or hand on the base 20, thereby enhancing the flight of the feathered projectile toy 1. This is demonstrated most clearly in the diagram shown in FIGS. 4A-4C. As shown in FIG. 4A, the elements 20 in their initial state before impact are stacked on the base 10 in an accordion-like arrangement with their curved edges in alignment with one another. As shown in FIG. 4B, upon impact, the elements 20 are compressed together and flex towards a flattened state. The forced contact between the elements 20 may also result in a “cracking” or “snapping” sound, adding to the entertainment value of the feathered projectile toy 1. As shown in FIG. 4C, just after impact and as the feathered projectile toy 1 begins its flight, the elements 20 flex back to their initial curved state, thereby propelling the feathered projectile toy 1 through the air.

A preferred material used for the elements 20 is polyvinyl chloride (PVC). In exemplary embodiments, the elements 20 may have a diameter within a range of 30 mm to 40 mm and a thickness within a range of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm, and the central openings 22 may have a diameter within a range of 12 mm to 13 mm. When placed on flat surface, the height of each element 20 may be within a range of 5 mm to 7 mm due to the curvature of the element 20.

In exemplary embodiments, the feathers 30 may be natural feathers, such as, for example, duck or goose feathers, or may be synthetic feathers, such as, for example, feathers made of silk and/or plastic. The number of feathers 30 used may be within a range of three to five, although any number of feathers may be selected. The height of each feather 30 may be in a range of 120 mm and 140 mm. The feathers 30 are preferably sewn or otherwise held together along their length to prevent the feathers 30 from separating during flight. If the feathers 30 are sewn together, the type of thread used may be, for example, nylon.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A feathered projectile toy comprising: a base having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal end and the distal end; a plurality of stacked elements disposed on the base with the longitudinal axis of the base extending through openings in each of the plurality of stacked elements; and a plurality of feathers extending from the distal end of the base.
 2. The feathered projectile toy of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of stacked elements are discs.
 3. The feathered projectile toy of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of stacked elements are curved discs.
 4. The feathered projectile toy of claim 3, wherein the diameter of each of the plurality of stacked elements is between 30 mm and 40 mm.
 5. The feathered projectile toy of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of stacked elements has a thickness between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm.
 6. The feathered projectile toy of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of stacked elements has a height between 5 mm and 7 mm.
 7. The feathered projectile toy of claim 2, wherein the opening in each of the plurality of stacked elements has a diameter between 12 mm and 13 mm.
 8. The feathered projectile toy of claim 1, where the plurality of stacked elements are made of plastic.
 9. The feathered projectile toy of claim 8, wherein the plurality of stacked elements are made of polyvinyl chloride.
 10. The feathered projectile toy of claim 1, wherein the base is made of rubber.
 11. The feathered projectile toy of claim 1, wherein the plurality of feathers are sewn together along their length.
 12. The feathered projectile toy of claim 11, wherein thread used to sew the plurality of feathers together is made of nylon.
 13. The feathered projectile toy of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of feathers has a height between 120 mm and 140 mm.
 14. The feathered projectile toy of claim 1, wherein the base has a height along its longitudinal axis, and the height is between 40 mm and 60 mm.
 15. The feathered projectile toy of claim 1, wherein the base is tube-shaped. 